Evaluation of intraocular pressure in a pediatric population.

The purpose of this study was to examine the intraocular pressure (IOP) in a pediatric population without general anesthesia, and compare it to the IOP in a normal adult population. Little information is available on the normal IOP in a pediatric population. IOP was measured in a sample of 212 eyes (111 patients) using the Keeler Pulsair Hand Held Non-Contact Tonometer to determine the range of IOP in this population. Patients ranged in age from 7 months to 5 years, 10 months. The mean IOP of each eye was based on three readings. These IOP values were grouped by the chronological age of the children. The results support the conclusion that infant/toddler patients have lower mean IOP than adults and that as age increases, IOP increases.